OYABE FOR HISTORY BUFFS
Oyabe might seem like a quiet place nowadays, especially compared to bigger cities in the region like Kanazawa, but a look beneath the surface reveals a fascinating local history to explore, for everyone from laypeople with a casual interest in the area to hardcore history buffs who can’t get enough of the past.
Pride Rooted in History and Cultural Connections
The history of Oyabe City dates back approximately 8,000 years to the Jomon period. Evidence of early settlement and cultural development, such as elevated building foundations and pottery, has been discovered at the Sakuramachi archaeological site. During the Kofun period, the construction of Wakamiya Kofun highlights connections to the central government. These historical milestones have instilled a sense of pride in Oyabe residents regarding their roots.
One particularly symbolic episode in the region’s history is the "Fire Oxen Strategy" used by Kiso Yoshinaka during the Battle of Kurikara Pass in the late Heian period. This tactical maneuver remains an iconic story in the city’s history. This dedication to preserving history as part of the local culture has played a significant role in shaping the identity of Oyabe’s citizens.
Cleverness Immortalized in Local Legend
For more local history, let us go back some centuries further.
The year is 1183. The last three years have been defined by the Genpei War, a nationwide civil war between the Minamoto Clan and the Taira Clan, both of whom sought to rule Japan. After three years of fighting, the Taira Clan seem to have an advantage, and they arrive at Kurikara Pass, in modern-day Oyabe.
The Minamoto Clan know that they don’t have the numbers to win a direct confrontation, so they set up dozens of white banners on a hill to create the illusion of more people than they actually have, in the hopes that the Taira forces would stay back for the time being, in Kurikara Pass. When evening falls, the trap is sprung as the Minamoto forces set out with phase two of their plan: they tie torches to the horns of a herd of oxen, and carry huge numbers of war flags, to trick the Taira forces into thinking the Minamoto Clan was far better equipped than they actually were. As they release the oxen to run into the Taira front lines, other Minamoto fighters ambush the Taira side from the sides and behind. The result is a devastating loss for the Taira Clan, turning the tides and ultimately leading to a Minamoto victory in the war.
Oyabe today is full of nods to this historic event, from sculptures in parks to museums like the Kurikara Genpei War Museum and Rest Area, to even the town’s mascot characters. Keep an eye out, and you’re bound to see more than a few references to this chapter of local history.
Unraveling the Mysteries of an Ancient Prehistory
Oyabe’s local history even extends back far beyond the written record, into an age shrouded in mystery and incomplete knowledge. This is the Jomon period: literally “cord-marked,” named for the fact that artifacts unearthed from back then tend to have markings on their surface seemingly made with rope. This prehistoric period dates back to roughly 12,000 to 16,000 years ago, and archaeologists have made a number of discoveries from this period here in Oyabe.
At Oyabe Jomon Park, visitors can learn about this prehistoric society who once lived in Japan, with ancient artifacts on display for the public to see. There are also reconstructions of what is known about Jomon-period society, such as a diorama depicting a scene from life back then, and even a reconstruction of one of the stilt houses used back then. There are other nods to this ancient prehistory around town, as well — even fun things like the playground at the Michi no Eki roadside station, which features a play structure based on one of these stilt houses!
